​World Day of Prayer service to be held at Harbour Church in Kincardine

The annual World Day of Prayer service is being hosted by the Harbour Church, at 249 Bruce Avenue, Kincardine, Friday, March 1, at 2 pm. Everyone is welcome to attend!

In 1887, Presbyterian women started a Day of Prayer for Home Missions, soon followed by Baptist Women. In Canada, the Anglican Women’s Auxiliary began a day of prayer for missions, in 1895.

A group of Anglican, Baptist, Congregational, Methodist and Presbyterian women’s missions groups met Oct. 19, 1918, forming a prayer group which later was named the Women’s Inter-Church Council of Canada.

The first national inter-denominational women’s day of prayer was held Jan. 9, 1920, in Lindsay, Ontario. By 1926, service outlines were being sent internationally as other countries joined in this prayer movement.

The prayer emphasis expanded to include world peace, justice issues, and human rights, with the name changed to ‘World Day of Prayer.’ About 50 years ago, the Kincardine Anglican, United, Presbyterian and Baptist churches gathered to participate in prayer, but soon the event expanded to include other area churches.

More than 170 countries participate yearly, usually on the first Friday in March, in this ecumenical movement led by women to join in prayer and action for peace, justice and reconciliation. Offerings provide grants that support projects to empower women and children dealing with injustices in Canada and around the world.